Veterans group praises Arizona's 'Defend the Guard' legislation

Bring Our Troops Home, a national organization of veterans of the Global War on Terror, praised Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-District 6) this week for introducing legislation to prohibit Arizona's National Guard units from being deployed into active combat or combat support duities unless Congress has formally adopted a declaration of war as required by Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.

"As veterans, we strongly support the United States taking strong military action when necessary to defend the lives and liberties of the American people," said Sgt. Dan McKnight, who founded Bring Our Troops Home in 2019. "We thank Senator Rogers for acting to ensure that when Arizona's men and women in uniform are involved, it's done the right way, as laid out by our founding document."

McKnight served for 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and Idaho National Guard, including an 18 month combat deployment to Afghanistan from 2005 to 2007.

Prior to her election to the Arizona State Senate in 2020, Rogers served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, 1976 to 1996, and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

"S.B. 1350 simply says that before ordering Arizona's National Guard to do their job in a foreign combat zone overseas, Congress, from the comfort of home, should accept responsibility and do their job first," McKnight continued. "Courageous National Guard personnel shouldn't be required to put their boots on the ground until members of Congress have the courage to put their names on the dotted line with a formal declaration of war. And the Arizona Legislature has a duty to their constituents to prevent their sons and daughters from participating and dying in a war not sanctioned by the U.S. Constitution."

Nothing in Rogers' legislation would prevent Arizona’s governor from mobilizing the National Guard to respond to a natural disaster, sending guardsmen to other states to provide assistance, or deploying overseas for training missions. 

McKnight urged Arizona residents to call their state legislators in support of the "Defend the Guard Act," versions of which he said are expected to be introduced in over 40 states in 2022.

"Public opposition to our endless wars in the Middle East and elsewhere is growing stronger. Poll after poll demonstrates that majorities of Republicans, Democrats and veterans think our nation is better served by keeping our military safe at home, not fighting unconstitutional wars of choice," said McKnight. "We hope Arizonians will join Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans in urging their governor and legislators to support Senator Rogers' bill, and urge their members of Congress and President Biden to support bringing all of our troops home."